Direction signalling device for cycles



April 23, 1957 J. GUEST ET AL 2,790,157

DIRECTION SIGNALLING DEVICE FOR CYCLES Filed Oct. 10, 1955 ATTORNEYS United States Pa DIRECTION SIGNALLING DEVICE FOR CYCLES Arthur J. Guest, Pomona, and William H. Holt, Temple City, Calif.

Application October 10, 1955, Serial No. 539,396

1 Claim. (Cl. 340-134) operated by the operator of the cycle, without the necessity of the operator removing his hands from the grips of the cycle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a signal or direction indicating device having a self-contained battery and lamp in circuit with the battery, there being provided a switch that is capable of controlling the light by the touch of a finger.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmental elevational view of a handle bar of a cycle, illustrating the signalling device constructed in accordance with the invention, as mounted adjacent to the handle bar grip.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the handle bar illustrating the signalling device as mounted there Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through the device, illustrating a modified form of operating lever.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view through an insulating plug used in lieu of a battery, in cases where the cycle is equipped with a central battery.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference character 5 designates a handle bar of a cycle, to which the direction indicator forming the essence of the present invention is connected.

The direction indicator comprises a housing indicated generally by the reference character 6, which housing embodies a pair of identical sections, each section comprising a vertical semi-tubular section 7 and a lower horizontal sectional sleeve 8 which forms a continuation of :the semitubular section supported thereby.

The sections of the housing are formed with cooperating offset portions 9, which offset portions are provided with aligning openings, one of which is threaded, to accommodate the securing screw 10 by means of which the sectional sleeve is secured around a handle bar in a manner better shown by Figure 2 of the drawing.

2,790,157 Patented Apr. :23, 3&5?

While the screw 10 draws the section of the housing together, the screw also provides a supporting pin for the lever 11 which is shown as mounted thereon, the lever 11 having its forward end 12 extending into the lower portion of the housing,providing a support for the battery 13 which rests thereon.

The housingv 6 is constructed with a threaded member 14 that provides a socket for the electric lamp 15 which is shown as threaded therein.

The upper end of the housing is also formed with threads to accommodate the threads of the plastic cover 16 which is constructed of transparent material, so that the light rays from the electric lamp 15 will be projected therethrough to display a signal.

It might be here stated that the plastic cover or dome 16 is preferably colored red to attract attention when il luminated.

The battery 13 is of a diameter to fit within the housing 6 with such a degree of accuracy, that the battery, while it may move longitudinally of the housing to complete the circuit to the lamp, will not rattle within the housing to become objectionable.

A coiled spring indicated by the reference character 17 is fitted between the battery and electric lamp normally holding the contacts 18 and 19 of the battery and electric lamp 15, respectively, spaced apart.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described, the electric lamp will be lit with each movement of the battery to cause the contact 18 thereof to engage the contact 19 of the lamp.

However, in the event that a central battery of the cycle is used in supplying the electric energy to the lamp, the battery 13 is replaced by an insulating plug 20 which is of the same dimensions as the conventional storage battery used in self-contained flashlights. This insulating plug carries a contact rod 21 which is embedded therein with one end thereof extending beyond the end of the plug as better shown by Figure 5, there being provided a wire 22 connected with the opposite end of the rod 21, the wire 22 provided a wire of a circuit leading to the rod 21, from the conventional central battery of the cycle, not shown. This insulating plug, when moved by the operating lever will be caused to move so that the contact rod 21 engages the contact member of the electric lamp, completing the circuit to the lamp.

Should it be desired to remove the signal light from the handle bar of the cycle, it is only necessary to remove the screw 10, whereupon the sections of the housing may be disconnected and the housing sections readily separated.

In using a signal of this type on a bicycle, it is contemplated to use a signal light on the handle bar adjacent to each grip thereof. With the lights located in this way, it is obvious that the operator of the bicycle will cause a signal to be made with either the right or left hand, indicating the direction of travel to be taken.

Having thus described the invention; what is claimed A direction indicating device for attachment to the handle bars of a cycle comprising a longitudinally split cylindrical housing formed of complementary semicylindrical sections, a pair of semi-cylindrical clamp sections extending from one end of said housing, said clamp sections being disposed at right angles to said housing and at one end thereof projecting laterally of said housing, a pair of ears carried one by each housing and clamping section, a rock lever disposed between said ears, one end of said lever projecting into said housing and the other end of said level projecting laterally of said ears, a combined lever pivot and ear clamping screw engaging through said i 3 f ears and said lever, a pair of complementary lamp socket References Cited in the file of this patent vmembers carried one by each housing section, a light bulb 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS in said socket members, a luminous dome threaded onto the upper end of said housing, and a spring interposed 2'387753 Frank at a 1945 between a battery and said socket members normally hold- 5 FOREIGN PATENTS ing said battery in circuit breaking position relative to said 3 57,9 Great Britain Oct 1, 93 y 875,761 France June 29, 1942 light bulb. q 

